15 July 2005 – The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Embassy, in cooperation with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), is looking into the complaints of Filipino workers recruited by the Annasban Group based in the Kingdom’s capital and are extending all possible assistance to them, in accordance with their needs and concerns.

Philippine Ambassador to KSA Bahnarim A. Guinomla has instructed Labor Attaché (LabAtt) Manuel C. Roldan to look into the complaints of OFWs and their families about poor working conditions within the company.  Certain reports on the matter have appeared in at least one leading periodical in the Philippines and have been brought before the DFA and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

Ambassador Guinomla said that LabAtt Roldan particularly looked into the complaints filed by the families of six OFWs identified as Ms. Aiza Katog, Ms. Nazaren Ella, Ms. Bernadeth Gamayon, Ms. Christina Danganan, Ms. Erlinda Guerrero and Ms. Novalita Pabi.

The OFWs raised concerns that the company does not provide for the food and accommodation of workers as was initially promised; that the company prevents workers from communicating outside the worksite and the accommodation is a virtual jail where female workers are not allowed to go out; and that new recruits are given only temporary tenure and are on floating status.  The OFWs also raised some issues regarding salaries and deductions and their work assignments.

Ambassador Guinomla said that of the six Filipinos named, two have already been taken into custody by the Embassy’s POLO.   They are Ms. Katog and Ms. Ella.   The Ambassador added that Embassy officials were able to obtain for Ms. Katog an exit visa and a return ticket to the Philippines.  The POLO team was also able to negotiate the cancellation of a police blotter against Ms. Ella and a provision for her return ticket to the Philippines.

Also acting on instructions by Ambassador Guinomla, LabAtt Roldan coordinated on several occasions with the Operations Manager of Annasban Group Mr. Uthman Bashler.  A team led by LabAtt Roldan also visited the company’s accommodation in Al Badiah Riyadh to air the OFWs’ concerns and resolve them with the best possible solutions.

Certain issues were clarified during these meetings and visitations.  On the issue of the status of new recruits, it was determined that all recruiters would eventually be assigned to a work site upon arrival.  Should the company be unable to give them a work assignment, the recruits would still be paid their salaries.

On the issue of food and accommodations, the POLO team reported to Ambassador Guinomla that the company gives its workers 100 Riyals as food allowance, and should this not be enough, the recruit may request for subsequent advances.

The POLO team also reported that they were able to view video footage of the accommodation provided free by the company for their recruits and these were found to be decent.  The team requested for an actual visitation of the site so that they could take their own pictures for documentation.

The Company on the other hand admitted to restricting female workers to their accommodations to avoid communication with males outside the work area in observance of Saudi customs.  The Company however said that their female employees are regularly allowed to go out to shop for their needs.

Ambassador Guinomla informed that the POLO team was able to get a commitment from the Company for the installation of a call booth to allow the workers housed there to call their families and loved ones.

LabAtt Roldan shall also act on the complaints and request for repatriation of the four other OFWs mentioned.  The POLO will conduct more consultations with the Company’s management in order to make sure that it delivers on it pledges to address the complaints of their workers and improve their working and living conditions.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Guinomla advised OFWs who wish to go to KSA to make sure that they are prepared and fully aware of the working conditions that await them there.  Ambassador Guinomla also reiterated the commitment of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh to extend all possible assistance to Filipinos who are in need of the Philippine government’s help.  END
 
 

/jay